Facebook has been named in 9 documented digital harm incidents, including 2 fatalities and 3 involving minors. The most common harm domain is Fraud & Financial, followed by Self-Harm & Suicide.
Documented Incidents
9Oldham woman scammed £400 after Facebook Marketplace iPhone sale, threatened by buyer at her home
A woman from Oldham sold her iPhone for £400 on Facebook Marketplace and was scammed, with a man later arriving at her home on an e-scooter claiming to collect the phone. The buyer showed a fraudulent bank transfer confirmation, but no money was transferred to her account. After voicing concerns, the buyer threatened her, saying he "knew where she lived" and would make her life a "living hell." Danielle Pickett, the victim, posted about the incident on social media and shared CCTV footage of the man at her home, prompting other victims in the Chadderton area to come forward with similar experiences. She reported the incident to Greater Manchester Police, but claimed they did not investigate thoroughly, only advising her to call 999 if in danger. The police have confirmed a complaint is being assigned for investigation.
Okanagan musician loses $10K to Facebook Marketplace account takeover scam leading to safety concerns
Okanagan musician Kinga Heming fell victim to a Facebook Marketplace scam after her Facebook profile was hacked. The scammer posted false ads, posing as Heming and requesting deposits from people who believed they were dealing with her. At least $10,000 was taken from victims, including friends like Lorraine Bromley, who sent a $1,000 deposit for a car. Heming and victims reported the incident to the RCMP, who had previously issued a warning about similar scams. Heming regained access to her account but struggled to keep it secure, and the scammer shared her home address with victims, causing her and her partner to worry about their safety. Despite securing her account, Heming continues to receive messages from frustrated victims.
14-year-old Grade 8 learner dies by suicide after alleged cyberbullying on Facebook in Eastern Cape
A 14-year-old Grade 8 learner from Kariega in the Eastern Cape died by suicide on Tuesday, 13 May, after being found hanging at her family home in the Moegesukkel informal settlement. Her father discovered her and rushed her to Kariega Provincial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Social media users have alleged that she was subjected to cyberbullying on Facebook in the days leading up to her death, sharing posts that suggest she was ridiculed. Police confirmed the incident and opened an inquest docket, but have not verified the cyberbullying claims or linked them to her suicide. The girl, identified as Shemeeque Davis, was a student at Uitenhage High School, which issued a statement expressing grief and condolences to her family and community.
Ohio woman loses $2,000 to Facebook Marketplace scam via hacked account and Venmo payment
A woman in North Royalton, Ohio, was scammed while attempting to buy a vehicle through Facebook Marketplace on April 12. The seller, posing as a friend, requested a $2,000 down payment via Venmo and later directed her to wire money to a San Francisco man’s bank account. After not receiving confirmation, the woman discovered her Facebook account had been hacked. She filed a police report and is seeking reimbursement from her bank. North Royalton police are investigating the fraud case with no suspects identified.
Greene County sheriff loses $150 to Facebook Marketplace scam in Missouri
Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott fell victim to a Facebook Marketplace scam when he purchased a vintage Pontiac Trans Am hood as wall art. The scam occurred in Springfield, Missouri, in 2025. A week after the expected shipping date, the seller claimed there was an issue and asked for an additional $150, at which point Arnott realized he had been scammed. He reported the incident to Facebook and attempted to track the scammer, who he believes is based in Africa. As a result, Arnott likely will not recover the money he paid.
Auckland woman traumatized by sexual harassment during Facebook Marketplace in-home transaction
An Auckland mother was left traumatised after a Facebook Marketplace transaction turned into a sexual harassment incident. A man named "Shannon" contacted her about purchasing a wooden boat listed on January 27. He arrived at her home on the afternoon of the contact and was invited inside to view the item. Once inside, he made inappropriate sexual advances, asking if he could "suck her toes." The man then refused to leave, causing the woman significant distress. Police have since issued a warning about the risks of using online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace.
Arizona mother targeted by deepfake audio virtual kidnapping scam demanding $1 million ransom in April 2023
In April 2023, an Arizona woman named Jennifer DeStefano received a call from an anonymous caller who claimed to have kidnapped her 15-year-old daughter and demanded a $1 million ransom. The caller played a deepfake audio of a child in distress, which was later identified as part of a virtual kidnapping scam. The scammer reduced the ransom to $50,000 during negotiations, but DeStefano discovered her daughter was safe and reported the incident to the police. Virtual kidnapping involves cybercriminals using AI voice cloning tools and social engineering to manipulate victims into paying ransoms by creating the illusion of a kidnapping. The FBI and Federal Trade Commission have warned about the increasing use of deepfake technology in scams, with impostor scams causing $2.6 billion in losses in 2022. These attacks often target parents by exploiting publicly available biometric data from social media platforms to create convincing audio evidence.
Rohingya Muslim minority targeted by approved hate speech ads on Facebook in Myanmar
Global Witness found that Facebook approved advertisements containing hate speech targeting the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar. Despite Facebook's claims of improved hate speech detection in Burmese, eight test ads with hate speech were submitted and all were approved for public display. The incident highlights concerns about Facebook's moderation practices and algorithmic amplification of harmful content.
Two fathers falsely accused of child abuse by Google's automated CSAM scanning system, leading to police investigations and account deactivation
Google's automated scanning system falsely accused two fathers of child abuse by misidentifying photos of their children's medical conditions as child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The company reported the parents to authorities without informing them, leading to police investigations. Despite being cleared by local police, Google refused to restore the fathers' accounts or return their data. The incident highlights flaws in Google's AI and human review processes, and raises concerns about the broader impact of inaccurate CSAM scanning, including potential harm to users and the risk of false accusations. Other companies like Facebook and LinkedIn have also reported high error rates in their CSAM scanning systems.